Round Table: Was Chris Scott right to label Geelong's critics 'lazy'? Round Table: Who is under the most pressure to make the Grand Final? The Tigers take on Essendon in Saturday night's traditional Sir Doug Nicholls Round showpiece, though it will take place at Darwin's TIO Stadium rather than the MCG. In response, Hardwick leapt to … "I've spoken to Tom and I love his aggression, sometimes he will go over [the line] and give away free kicks or, like at the weekend, get reported. "I've been around footy a long time and I've been very fortunate enough to be at some really good organisations. "They should have a good, hard look at themselves as I guarantee a few guys making comments, and I'm looking at David Schwarz here - I played a grand final against this bloke and 20 minutes into the game he was crying, so he should have a look at himself at some stage.". "It's a bit embarrassing to read what some people say, but it's a passionate game. Catchup on all the latest action from the, Defence reigns supreme as Dockers suffocate Swans. "We're very excited about what it may look like and the challenge it presents.". Clickbait and hot takes: How do fans navigate today's footy media? "We've invented a game plan that we've been very fortunate to have three seasons playing," Hardwick said. However, you can still subscribe via the Apple App Store or the Google Play. The pair were grappling as Lynch initiated a lead but he made contact with his arm to Hurley's throat in a bid to push away from the Bombers defender. "We've brought in some young talent but predominantly the 18-22 players that are going to form the basis of our side are on the track and training together right now. Former Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson has finally revealed the real story behind Damien Hardwick being overlooked for Matthew Knights, adamant speculation a … "There was a lot of things we did right, we just couldn't quite get the scoreboard ticking over as nicely as we'd like. Former Demons forward David Schwarz also joined in, calling Lynch a "goose", a "knucklehead" and saying he deserves to get "lined up". Worsfold was also strong on the impact of a free kick given away from Jake Stringer that cost Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti a goal in the second term. TIGERS TOO STRONG Full match coverage and stats. I thought we played a pretty good brand of footy and just couldn't quite get the polish on the end and we left a lot of goals on the table," Hardwick said. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has again defended Tom Lynch despite another potential MRO incident By Callum Twomey on RICHMOND has urged Tom Lynch to continue his aggressive approach despite the key forward again likely to find himself under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer for a clash with Essendon's Michael Hurley. “I’ve watched Damien Hardwick do such a great job at the Richmond Football Club starting back in 2010 but it took him seven or eight years to eventually get that premiership. The outgoing Bombers coach said it came at a crucial time. Strangely, Hardwick seemed to suggest Schwarz shouldn't be questioning someone's toughness because he cried. ", Essendon coach John Worsfold didn't hold back when discussing what others had said about the Bombers and was adamant his team is on the right track. Since the beginning of March, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has introduced a raft of changes -- including shorter quarters, a reduced schedule and quarantine hubs -- which have culminated in the season being able to resume on June 11. Essendon backman Adam Saad goes his hardest in this contest with Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch. They sit 12th on the ladder and look set to miss the top-eight after bowing out in last year's elimination final, but coach John Worsfold said critics of the side's development were off the mark. Essendon 39 17 10-0-7 10.00 3.53 6.00 16.00 0.06 0.06 1.29 1.24 0.82 1997 Essendon 39 15 6-0-9 11.80 3.67 5.80 17.60 0.20 0.13 1.73 1.33 0.40 0.20 1998 Essendon … But we're going to stick the course and we're going to be a very good team very quickly. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has again defended Tom Lynch despite another potential MRO incident. Damien Hardwick the Bomber. 1 rank, List manipulation is here to stay, so get used to it, How AFL recruiters are dealing with the COVID curveballs. Round Table: Which player is under the most pressure this finals series? "We've always evolved [and] I think it holds us in good stead. And while there are still many unknowns around the 2020 season, Hardwick is confident his troops will be in the best place to adjust and handle the situation. The Tigers' seventh win from their past nine games came after their dominated the play and possession against Essendon, recording 66 inside-50 entries to the Bombers' 24. "Unfortunately that's the way the umpires called it and we have to cop that but it was a pretty critical part of the game. You can access more content with Watch AFL. At that point that was potentially going to give us a two-goal lead and maybe a three-goal lead, I'm not really sure. Round Table: Who has been the most disappointing player of 2020. "[It had a] massive impact. He plays like that. It was obviously something pretty drastic to overturn a kick like that," Worsfold said. Lynch kicked two goals against Essendon in the Tigers' hard-fought win in the centerpiece of the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Round. • Must-watch AFL stars: 20-11 | 10-1. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has dismissed the notion 2020 will forever be remembered as a tainted football season, declaring "this will be one of the greatest premierships ever won.". Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has returned serve on behalf of star forward Tom Lynch who has been taking heavy fire this week. They generally give away the most free kicks and they generally have the most reports, that's why they're a good side.". • Download ESPN from iTunes App Store Essendon's finals hopes were dealt a big blow in the defeat, with the Bombers managing only one win from their past seven games. "I know a lot of people are probably jumping up in arms a little bit with regards to it being an unfair playing field and it's going to be a little different," Hardwick told reporters on Monday. How traditional AFL clubs can learn from the 'cocky kids'. "I've got an enormous amount of respect for Mitch and I'm sure he looks back and it's not the ideal choice of words," Hardwick said. The seven-footer eyeing a place in the AFL, Tiger trouble? Who tops the "coaching pressure power rankings"? • Get AFL news and more in your inbox That was late in 2001 after the Bombers had lost the grand final to the Brisbane Lions. Are the Suns about to overtake the Giants? "The circumstances we're in present an enormous opportunity for our footy club and our players are very much looking forward to it, as are our coaching staff and our fans. Hardwick later referenced the 2000 grand final in which his Bombers defeated Schwarz's Melbourne. ", Hardwick: 2020 flag might be the AFL's greatest. The Bombers and Tigers go head to head in the 'Dreamtime in Darwin'. "I found it disappointing, especially some of the players that made comment, David Schwarz was completely over the top, Mark Robinson as well. In response, Hardwick leapt to the 27-year-old's defence, denying he was a dirty player. Cats set up all-Victorian AFL Grand Final, 'Slay that dragon': An oral history of Essendon's 2000 season.